Vatican rejects ROC accusations of bias in Ukraine war

Parolin's address. Photo: Vatican Press Office

On July 28, 2025, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed the Holy See’s relations with Ukraine and Russia during a conversation with journalists.

“We have always tried, while calling things by their names, to remain close to both sides and, above all, to help find a path toward resolving the conflict,” said the Cardinal, responding to a statement by the head of the ROC’s Department for External Church Relations that the Vatican cannot be considered a neutral venue for peace negotiations.

“I understand that this may be a problem for them – in the sense that, as they themselves have explained, we are dealing with two Orthodox countries, and the idea that two Orthodox nations should ultimately seek a common platform within a Catholic setting may create certain difficulties. Beyond that, I don’t think the Vatican can be faulted for lacking neutrality,” Parolin stated.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Russian Orthodox Church had voiced opposition to the Vatican’s role as mediator in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

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